This idea is not novel at all. After all, a 2nd Bill Of Rights was first put forth by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s State of the Union Speech to Congress on January 11, 1944. It is amazing that the call to duty in this speech still holds true, and sad that so much of what he wanted for America is still unrealized.
NINETEEN FORTY FOUR! FDR had a great vision for this nation and understood what the people needed for true individual freedom. There is a huge communication problem in D.C. The message is simple and it is possible. Unfortunately we have corruptible politicians standing in the way, being the lap dogs for corporations whose only care is more profits. The following is a quote from the video on the original articles page:
As our nation has grown in size and stature, however—as our industrial economy expanded—these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.
We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. “Necessitous men are not free men.” People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.
In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.
Among these are:
The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;
The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;
The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;
The right of every family to a decent home;
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;
The right to a good education.
All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifprepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.
America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for all our citizens.
For unless there is security here at home there cannot be lasting peace in the world.
Not only should this be an American bill of rights, it should be a world wide bill of rights. At some point, we the people of this world, have to say, enough is enough.
Source: Enough Is Enough - Implement FDR's 2nd Bill Of Rights
